Thursday, Feb 17, 2005
Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 |
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Kerala
By Our Kerala Bureau
KOCHI/KAYAMKULAM, FEB. 16. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today put the State'seconomy on a new growth trajectory by launching two major development projects — the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) and the second stage of the National Thermal Power Corporation's Kayamkulam Thermal Power Station. The foundation-stone laying ceremonies for the two major projects were held at Kochi and Kayamkulam in Alapuzha district respectively, but the theme of Dr. Singh's addresses at both places was that Central investments in the State were set to witness a jump in the coming years. The Prime Minister, who renamed NTPC's new power station as Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project, announced plans to set up a re-gasification terminal at Kochi at an investment of Rs. 2, 300 crores, to provide the source of fuel for the Kayamkulam plant. He said that the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) would, in association with the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, study the feasibility of a gas cracker complex. The complex would be a global-scale plant requiring an estimated investment of Rs. 7,000 crores.
Role model
Laying the foundation stone for the Vallarpadom ICTT at the Kendriya Vidyalaya ground in Willingdon Island in Kochi, Dr. Singh said the project would be a role model for private-public partnership, blending efficiently private sector managerial efficiency and marketing acumen with public sector capital and infrastructure planning. The Prime Minister said that the United Progressive Alliance Government gave maximum priority to infrastructure development, including that of ports. Stating that the nation proudly joined Kerala in celebrating its first global hub terminal, Dr. Singh said he was particularly happy to fulfil a long-standing promise on the project that would change the future of the State.
Kayamkulam plant
The Kayamkulam power station will add 1,950 MW to its capacity. The investment for this would be Rs.6,600 crores. Dr. Singh highlighted the importance of the plant for South India as a whole while addressing the State's problem of power shortages. The proposed gas cracker complex would be a model of partnership between two public sector enterprises in launching a mega investment project. It would require an investment of Rs. 7,000 crores to produce 6,00,000 tonnes of ethylene and 1,50,000 tonnes of propylene a year. It would provide direct employment to 500 people and indirect employment to thousands of people in small-scale ancillary industries based on polymer plastics.
Minor ports
The Union Government was considering the Union Shipping Ministry's proposal to provide assistance to develop minor ports, but the State Governments should provide better financial backing to them, he said. The Prime Minister praised the State's achievements in human resource development, but noted that it had to travel a long way in infrastructure development and generation of employment at home. "Kerala can contribute much more in the area of information technology to match its signal success in the development of the tourism sector," Dr. Singh said, expressing happiness that the State was catching up with its neighbours in the IT sector. The venue of the Vallarpadom ceremony was shifted from Vallarpadom Island to Willingdon Island for security reasons. The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T. R. Baalu, presided over the function at Kochi, while the Union Power Minister, P. M. Sayeed, attended the Kayamkulam meeting. The Governor, R. L. Bhattia and the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, attended both functions.
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